An invertebrate G-protein coupled receptor is a chimeric cannabinoid/melanocortin receptor
Analysis of a G-protein coupled receptor fragment isolated from the leech CNS reveals that it is a chimeric cannabinoid/melanocortin receptor. Two regions of the leech sequence display high levels of amino acid identity with mammalian cannabinoid receptors while a third region is 98% identical to part of the bovine adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor. The leech receptor may therefore resemble the putative ancestor of mammalian cannabinoid and melanocortin receptors.
Elphick
MR
School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK